Sunday, December 29, 2013

Millions of Bangladeshis are going through tense days and nights. The deepening political crisis, the extreme rigid stance taken by the polarized political parties and the pending general election coming up on January 5, 2014 that the main opposition parties have boycotted, all point to another vicious cycles of bloody confrontations between the current government and its oppositions.December is a sensitive month for many Bangladeshis. This is the month when this nation got its independence after a brutal war against then the West Pakistani soldiers in 1971. This is the month when countless many intellectuals, artists, writers, professors, engineers, doctors, poets, civil officers were routed and murdered in that painful war. And this is the month when Bangladeshi freedom fighters with friendly collaboration from the neighbouring Indian army defeated the occupiers and its local enablers after resisting in a nine month long genocidal war.Bangladesh is a proud nation. It has gone through many upheavals, political instability, mindless assassinations of its leaders, multiple military run governments, struggles against the military autocracy for democracy and the yearning to have a stable nation where democratic values outweigh the other forms of corrupted power grabs. From its very inception, in that tumultuous years of 1971, Bangladesh was not an isolated nation.It was part of the bigger geopolitical interests for many neighbouring and faraway nations, especially getting independence in the time of numbing cold war, opposing forces had remained active after the war and the price was paid by the ordinary Bangladeshis.This is not to say that all the current travails, discontents and the instability are solely to be blamed to "others". The local corruptions, military's taking over the governing power and sustaining it many years through successive coups, re establishment of reactionary politics, all of these factors contributed to more polarization. The overall struggle that the ordinary Bangladeshis gone through, feeding their family, surviving in a nation with ever increasing population, the lack of rules and regulations because of unelected past military governments' focus mainly was to enrich their and their cronies' coffers first, governing and making the citizens' life better were only served as afterthought.

2.

The reason I had to bring up some of the historical facts related to past autocratic military governments that were not elected by the people is that in various discussions and writings found in social media, delusional views containing the benevolence of past military governments in Bangladesh were observed.Nothing can be further from the truth.By its very nature as history has shown from time immemorial, not only in Bangladesh, but around the world, the unelected military government is not fit to govern any nations. Whatever its purported slogan may be, however nice and verbose its self portrayals and "good intentions" are, the fact remains that they are not elected by the people through a free and fair election, and not meant to govern a nation. Their purpose of existence is to defend a nation from its enemies and of course to contribute in keeping rules, regulations and order in the nation when called upon by an elected government.Military men and women come from the general population. They go through rigorous training in combat and other required subjects. In general, I have seen Bangladeshis are proud of their military strength and the men and women who serve them, but when the question of governance come, it is the true secular democracy that remains to be the best interest of Bangladeshis.

3.

Why would there even be the notion of this delusional appeal to bringing back military government in Bangladesh? Possibly it is the lack of historical knowledge or perhaps the deep dissatisfaction among the general populace regarding the on going confrontations between the two polarized political groups made some segment of Bangladeshis longing for a new force to take a solid stance against all the hurtful bickering and violence.If I could vote today, I would vote for a secular candidate, and judging from all the recent news, it would possibly be an Awami League candidate as Awami League is indeed a secular political party and it has its rich history, before, during and after the independence war of 1971 or it could be a progressive BNP or other progressive candidate. Having said this, even if I could vote today, I would be abstaining from casting any vote in the up coming election that is being boycotted by all the major opposition political parties. What is the point of holding an election when the major oppositions are not participating?Reading two versions, one from the governing party and another from the main opposition party BNP, about the current political situations in Bangladesh, it is difficult to say who is truthful or if there is any truth at all that are coming out from each of the leading politicians' mouth in Bangladesh. Also, the vitriolic wording delivered in their daily sermons about the oppositions, from both the governing and the main opposition parties, is only putting more fuel in the already raging fire of confrontations.Even with its all historical achievements, leadership during and after the liberation war, Awami League's governance in past five years does not look to me any better than sub par corrupted governance by the previous government run by BNP. It is as if only the faces in the power leadership had changed but everything else remained the same. The same stifling partisanship, amassing huge amount of wealth by the elected parliament members and supporters of the ruling party and using the law enforcements and other government apparatus to thwart any opposing voice or protest movements.Of course, it is the responsibility of the law enforcers to keep everyone safe, but being used by political reason, guarding the ruling political thugs but shooting the opposition political activists and general protesters should not be part of their duty. Just to be clear, police and law enforcers have always been used, unjustifiably so, by the governing parties, by the present Awami League who has been ruling Bangladesh for the past five years and the past governments ruled by BNP.

4.

It is the poor and the ordinary Bangladeshis who are the most sufferers from the political unrest. The rickshaw pullers, the labourers, the civil servants, police officers and countless ordinary folks who have to go out everyday to earn their living despite all the violence. How can a nation move forward to achieve better economy in this environment? It amazes me that still Bangladeshis do achieve their economic goals, in their individual citizenry level and also in macro level there are good indicators showing economic progress.However, the recent apparently never ending battles, destruction of private and public properties, businesses, mass arrests of opposition activists and leaders, journalists, killings, these all are very disturbing, not only for Bangladeshis, but also for any foreign investors. Who would like to invest in a nation that cannot practice real democracy? Who would feel secured to conduct any business there?The screams and agonies of a mother, a wife, a brother or a sister, beside a hospital bed, where lies a severely wounded beloved one, or in the morgue lies the dead body of someone's loved one - these painful and vivid images can be seen almost daily in major Bangladeshi newspapers. Why wouldn't these heartbreaking images create any sympathy amongst the elite leaders and why wouldn't they take the necessary non confrontational step to resolve this political stalemate in Bangladesh?

5.

Because there were historical precedences, when due to similar political unrest, military took over the governance forcefully, I do fear for the future of democracy in Bangladesh. The geopolitical environment is not the same as it used to be after the liberation war of 1971, but there are new regional players and new super powers along with the old ones, who knows what would transpire if this unstable political environment continues more.It is the best interest for the ruling Awami League and its arch rival BNP to come to a negotiated settlement on various political issues, including holding the election under a neutral system, barring all the political goons and thugs from creating mischief in the name of protests or resisting protests. No one would like to see Bangladesh sliding into an autocratic and unelected governance once again. But no one would like to see a democracy only by name, not by deed, either.

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Instrumental music of an 19th century beloved song that was originally composed by James Lord Pierpont in 1857.

Merry Christmas.

Song lyrics:
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O'er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtail ring'
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight!

Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way.
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way;
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago
I thought I'd take a ride
And soon, Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side,
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
He got into a drifted bank
And then we got upsot.

Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way.
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way;
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

Now the ground is white
Go it while you're young,
Take the girls tonight
and sing this sleighing song;
Just get a bobtailed bay
Two forty as his speed[b]
Hitch him to an open sleigh
And crack! you'll take the lead.

Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way.
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells, jingle bells,
Jingle all the way;
Oh! what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh.

References:
1. Filler of this instrumental song that I composed, from 41 second to 46 second and from 1 minute 24 sec to 1 minute 30 second are taken from www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PgNPc-iFW8)

Monday, December 16, 2013

Instrumental music of "Amar Shonar Bangla" - a song of Rabindranath Thakur (Tagore). This song is the national anthem of Bangladesh.

This music is dedicated to the memories of millions of Bangladeshi people who lost their lives and millions more who were injured in the terrible war of 1971 and the valiant freedom fighters, artists, musicians, writers, students, professors and many known and unknown souls, whose bravery and courages to realize the dreams of having an independent nation free from discrimination and oppression came to be fulfilled but at the painful cost during and after the war, and though there are often the usual bickering, squabbling, political violence flare up time to time, the essence of core humanity for which this new nation called Bangladesh was born on this day, December 16 of 1971, the struggle continues to this day. The hope is that the new generation will de-clutter all the accumulation of senseless tit for tat cycles of vengeance, and will one day steer this nation of red and green to its achievable promises.

The painful memories of 1971 war is deep amongst the Bangladeshis, who either suffered during the war or its aftermath, or lost their loved ones. I heard the contradictory narratives from my Pakistani friends, and heard another version from Indian friends and my most American friends were oblivious about this war of 1971 as at that time another painful war,Vietnam was in most of their minds.

Reconciliation is surely the way and as part of reconciliation, sincere and direct apology will be one of the first steps I believe, along with acknowledging by both sides that in any war, the separation between good guys and the bad guys sometimes can be difficult if not nearly impossible, as none had their hands cleaned of blood.

The general populace, the farmers, the labourers, the rickshaw pullers, never wanted the war, but there was desperation amongst the Bangladeshis in 1971, many flee their homes to neighbouring India, many took refuge from urban cities to villages like my parents, grand parents and uncles and aunts did, and many took up the arms as the freedom fighters, a few of them were in my extended family.

After so many years have passed, it is not easy to say if the 1971 war could have been avoided, and if so, so many lives could have been saved! But in the long run, the union between East (Bangladesh) and West Pakistan probably could not be sustainable but the bloody war could have been avoided and the separation could have been achieved in amicable political process. Pipe dream? Maybe, but always there is dream before the realization and implementation of humanity's cores, perhaps not for the victims of 1971 war, as only memory's agonies remain, but terrible many other senseless wars that may be lurking and that can be avoided with genuine efforts by many.

Friday, October 04, 2013

Instrumental music of a spiritual song, title of this song translates to: "God oh God! Whatever you do, don't give sufferings to anyone!", originally sung by singer Nahid Akhter and music composer was Nisar Bazmi. The actress who was acting in this song in the movie, I had known her in my childhood, her name was Nayyer Sultana, a legend and great human being she was.

That get together at the coffee house is no more, no more
Where have the golden evenings lost, they are no more, no more

Nikhilesh is in Paris, Moudul is in Dhaka, they are not in any news today
Grand's guitarist Goaniz DeSuza is sleeping in grave
Loving someone, getting hurt at last, Roma Roy is incarcerated in mental institution
Amol is struggling with tough cancer, life has not forgiven him, alas!

That get together at the coffee house is no more, no more
Where have the golden evenings lost, they are no more, no more

Only Shujata today is living as the happiest person
Heard her husband is a millionaire
She is adorned with diamonds and golds completely
Her car and home are all pricey
Art college's student Nikhilesh Shamlal
used to draw picture for advertisements
And with full of talks in her eyes, like a silent listener
that Shujata only sat nearby

That get together at the coffee house is no more, no more
Where have the golden evenings lost, they are no more, no more

In one table that three or four hours, Char Minar cigarette burnt from the lips
Sometime Bishnu Dey, sometime Kamini Ray, debates went around about them
In hot sunlight or storm or the rain, wherever anyone was, after work we came to that place
Starting from four, having stimulating discussions, around seven thirty we used to get up

That get together at the coffee house is no more, no more
Where have the golden evenings lost, they are no more, no more

Poetic faced, hanging bag from the shoulder, Amol's name will be erased
Not a single poem of his got published, didn't get the appreciation of his talent
In the office's social manager, Roma Ray acted in drama
And read aloud what the newspaper's reporter Moidul wrote

That get together at the coffee house is no more, no more
Where have the golden evenings lost, they are no more, no more

That seven persons are not there today but that table is still there
Even seven cups are not empty
In the same garden blossomed the new flowers
Only that past day's gardener is not there

How many dream's sunlight rages in that coffee house
How many dreams get covered by the clouds
How many came and gone, and how many will come
Only the coffee house remain as it is

That get together at the coffee house is no more, no more
Where have the golden evenings lost, they are no more, no more

Thursday, September 05, 2013

Instrumental music of a Bangla song "Khola Janalay Ak Mutho Alo Hoye Bhorer Akashta" translates to "Through the open window, becoming the handful sunlight, the morning sky....". My mother Dilara Alo used to sing this song in Bangladesh Radio and Television when I was a child. The lyricist was my father Masud Karim and the original music composer was most probably Rafik Ahmed. I have memory of playing it in harmonium with my mother many times while she sang and my father patting his palms on his knees to keep my shaky rhythm and tune intact and my three sisters listening and humming along.

I do not remember all the lyrics of this song and played the tune from my memory. There is a possibility I do not recollect the tune in its entirety.

Wednesday, September 04, 2013

Instrumental music of an old folk song from the old Bengal and Assam regions. I could not find any info on who was the original lyricist or music composer of this melodic song. The title of this song "Sundori Komola Nachey" translates into English as "Pretty Komola Dances.

Enchanted illusion filled
Forest wanderer deer
Is a deep dream seeker
Why pledge to catch her
Without any reason

Let her stay lost in her mind
Far far away
I will only touch her soul
With the tune of the flute
Without any reason

She will be startled
By the heavy spring drizzle
Thunder from the sky
Will ease into her ear
My heart will be restless
Without any reason
From far away I will seek her,
Will tie her in secret sorrowful bond
That tie is invisible, untied
Without any reason

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Instrumental music of a nostalgic Bangla song. Lyricist was Jatindramohan Bagchi (1878 - 1948), music director was Sudhin Dasgupta (1929 - 1982) and singer was Pratima Bandopadhyay. The song is about a little girl reminiscing her elder sister who has recently passed away, but the meaning of death is incomprehensible to the little girl.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Instrumental music of a song for which the lyrics was written by my father Masud Karim for a movie named "Putro Bodhu" in decade of 80s. Singer was Sabina Yasmin. Movie Director: Kamal Ahmed. Music Director most probably was Subol Das.

Monday, August 19, 2013

Music of a song in Keyboard. Original song was composed by Rahul Dev Burman, lyricist was Gulzar, and singer Anup Ghosal, they recorded this song for a 1983 movie name Masoom. This is my second effort playing this song in a keyboard, this time making violin as the main instrument.

Gausul Azam Baba - Recently I've listened to this song which is a form of spiritual song known as "Maij Vandari", that I rendered in my keyboard. I remember listening to this type of song in my childhood and if I am not mistaken Maij Vandari songs are from the hilly place of Chittagong, a natural beauty of our world containing large leafy mountains and also is closed to one of the longest continuous sea shores with the sandy beach and the bluest crushing waves.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Instrumental
music of a song originally written and composed by legendary Bengali
poet Kazi Nazrul Islam close to a century ago. It was my hard fought
attempt to play this beautiful song that still needs more work to
even dare the allusive perfection. The more I delve into Nazrul's
music, his sheer brilliance as a music composer and lyricist becomes
clearer.